In an exclusive interview with Rams Wire, Nacua also talked about Davante Adams’ influence and playing the slot more
Puka Nacua has established himself as one of the best playmakers in the NFL after just two and a half seasons, going from being a fifth-round rookie in 2023 to reaching superstar status in the blink of an eye. He’s helped the Rams make the playoffs in each of the last two years and with yet another outstanding start to the 2025 season, he has them in position to win the NFC West again.
This week, Rams Wire caught up with Nacua via phone for an exclusive interview on behalf of his partnership with Pepsi and Puka’s Picks – a series where he visits local L.A. restaurants and turns them into a Rams House after trying some of their top dishes.
In the interview, Nacua talked about how much the Rams’ win over the Seahawks in Week 11 meant, whether he or Matthew Stafford got Cooper Kupp’s jersey after the game and the impact Quentin Lake has on the team as a defender and leader, among other topics.
The full interview below has been edited for clarity.
Did it feel like the win over the Seahawks meant more?
“Just for the momentum that we’ve been playing with. After what we feel like was a dominant win, coming back from San Fran and being like, ‘All right, this is another one for us to make sure we prepare and go out there and execute the way we want to,’ so it was fun.
“I think, honestly, seeing Cooper Kupp on the other side, kind of having that be the first time it actually happened, and seeing him on the field, lined up across from us. I knew it was gonna happen twice a year, so for the first one to come out there, and for us to be victorious and to accomplish our goal, I think it was just exciting. And seeing all this stuff on the NFL, like, ‘Oh, the Seahawks are playing really well.’ I think it was a statement win for us on all cylinders.”
Who got Cooper Kupp’s jersey after the game? You or Matthew?
“Unless Coop was wearing two jerseys, I’m pretty sure it came to me. I know Matthew’s probably got some cool jerseys in his man cave, but I was like, ‘I definitely need one of those Cooper Kupps.'”
Did Kupp say anything that stuck out to you after the game? Maybe, ‘See you in Week 16?’
“No, nothing of that sort. I was asking him about his pregame swag and some of the things that we used to talk about. So it was funny because I was like, ‘Oh, man, I gotta try it and figure out what he’s gonna wear,’ so it was good to just to check in and see the guy.”
Has the shift toward 13 personnel lightened your workload at all?
“Yeah, definitely on that. I feel like I spend a little more time on the sidelines but I love watching our boys. Our tight end group is playing so well as a unit and seeing them go out there and mash people. Me and Jordan Whittington, we kind of named ourselves the Bash Bros. We haven’t come up with a name for them but I know they go out there and when people line up, they’re like, ‘You’re about to get mauled.’ We’ve got a good group of guys out there that play the game physically correct and I enjoy that part of it. So I do feel like it’s nice because I’m like, I go down on third down and I’m like, I know this is an opportunity to make plays and keep our drives going. I worked on some first-down celebrations so it’s given me a little extra free time on my hands.”
What does Quentin Lake mean to your team and how big of a loss will that be?
“I think some of the things you said. I think just the leader that he is for the defense, but also the captain he is on the team. Lead by example. It’s something that Coach McVay says all the time: ‘Model the way.’ That’s something that ‘Q’ is the definition of.
“But I think the communication that he has, and just how he operates. I know we’ll be able to connect and continue to help out to some of the young guys and the people who will be stepping up in different roles.”
Have any of Stafford’s no-look passes surprised you, thinking the ball wasn’t coming to you?
“I feel like there is a mixture. Sometimes I feel like I know, but I always think of the one where my rookie year in the playoff game, we ran a shallow cross and he’s standing there about to get drilled, and I’m like, ‘Holy cow, where is this ball about to go?’ And then he lays it out and the guy ends up trying to go in the opposite direction and completely – yeah, I caught the ball, we get a first down and I’m like, ‘Holy cow, this guy, he was about to make the play and then he just gets duped because he was looking at his eyes.”
Seeing Davante Adams climb the all-time leaderboards and join Hall of Famers, does that motivate you at all to want to play longer?
“I think it definitely does have the influence of the standard being set. I know that we were just talking about being around Cooper Kupp and the standard that he set for our receiver room, especially in this organization. But then you get around another Hall of Famer and just the different standards that people have for themselves and it helps elevate your own game and your own personal goals and wants.
“So it’s definitely changed the mindset of, especially even just in this year, just trying to get in the end zone more. I mean, he’s stacking up those touchdowns left and right and I’m like, ‘There’s nothing like being in the end zone, especially as a wide receiver.”
“We get in that alumni zone of like, ‘All right, I’m ready to find that end zone.’”
You’re playing in the slot a bit more this season. Do you have a preference for playing inside or outside?
“Yeah, I guess a little bit. I enjoy the slot because I feel like it keeps me closer to the action in the run game where I can be more involved. Hopefully they feel my presence a little bit more than when I am on the outside.
“Just as a receiver, you just imagine always lining up on the outside and just being used to that, but I love the versatility and the flexibility because it makes it fun. Defenses, the level of predicting is a little bit harder for them.”
Do you have a favorite route to run?
“I love a slant route. It’s hard to beat that. There’s so many different ways to catch it on the run, to catch it on the body. The release, the sell, the in-break – just the release direction, I enjoy it.”
Is there a different feeling in the locker room being 8-2 compared to coming back from a 1-4 start last year?
“I think so, yeah. There’s a confidence, I feel like, that we’re moving with. Kind of going back to where we were just talking about, the standard that we set and how we feel like we’re approaching that some of these days and throughout the week before we get to Sunday, and the standard that I feel like we’ve set for ourselves is pushing us and it’s continued to rise each week, which is allowing our to have that desire to go out there and still strive for more and execute to its finest.”
Is there any team in the NFL you enjoy beating the most?
“I think it’s always fun to beat the 49ers.”
Who’s the toughest corner you’ve gone against?
“I’d say probably Jalen Ramsey. Just the size, the length, the speed, the physicality of somebody who’s been in the league and gone against the WR1s, who’s traveled in man, played in zone. I think that’s the body that you want to play the DB position.”
Can you tell me a little bit about your partnership with Pepsi and the Puka’s Picks series?
“Me and a food content creator, Owen Hahn, we’ve had the opportunity to team up with the Rams and Pepsi.
“We’ve been going to visit some restaurants in the local L.A. area, trying some food, and then making them a Rams House and getting to meet some of the owners and hear a little bit about their story and then I get to try some new foods.”